Iron Bacteria (Iron Ochre) In Wet Basements

Waterproofing A Basement With Iron Bacteria Issues

Iron bacteria creates a sticky, slimy gel that is usually rusty red in color but may instead be yellow, brown, or gray.

Once in a while, we at John's Waterproofing hear from a homeowner who's found a gelatinous, rust-colored substance making its way into a basement. This substance also appears around faucets, in toilet water tanks, and within other plumbing.

This substance is called iron ochre, and is created as a waste byproduct of iron bacteria. This bacteria naturally occurs in environments throughout most of the world.

Iron bacteria survives by oxidizing minerals dissolved from water, most commonly from ferrous iron, but also sometimes from manganese. As it does, it typically creates a reddish-brown slime or ooze, which can potentially be very thick.

This thick slime is known to affect drain and plumbing systems of all kinds, presenting a unique challenge for basement waterproofing contractors.

Blocked Drains, Rotted Plumbing, & Clogged Pipes

As iron ochre grows in pipes, it attaches itself to the sides of pipes and on surfaces, forming layers of reddish sludge or slime. This slime can be found on the ends of faucets, on laundry machine screens, on the insides of water tanks, and inside pumps and plumbing.

When the bacteria builds up thickly enough, it can begin to corrode pipes and plumbing equipment. Heavy buildup will also lead to damage to stainless steel surfaces, which are used by the bacteria as an iron source.

Once thick layers of bacteria have built up inside pipes, chunks will begin to break away, flowing down the system and leading to clogs. This can happen very quickly -- entire well systems have been known to completely clog in just a few months' time.

Iron Ochre (Top) is an ugly, gelatinous slime that stains surfaces and releases a foul odor into the air.

Our WaterGuard IOS System (Bottom) is specialized for draining iron-ochre-laden water.

Preventing Clogs In Your Basement Drainage System

If you believe you may be having a problem with iron ochre in your wet basement, be sure to ask us about our Waterguard IOS (Iron Ochre System).

This unique design of this system is ideal for a homeowner who would like to waterproof their home but has iron ochre present in the flooding waters.

How It Works:

Iron bacteria creates a slime that can clog a basement waterproofing system, causing it to cease to function properly.

The Waterguard IOS System® has been created with a removable cover that is visible and flush with the floor, unlike other drainage systems that are installed underneath the floor slab.

When maintaining your system, your waterproofing service technician removes this cover, gaining direct access to the drain. This allows them to either scoop out iron ochre or flush it from your system.

Maintenance intervals would vary on a home-by-home basis, depending on how severe the iron bacteria problems are.

To further prevent clogging, WaterGuard IOS® is designed with large drainage holes on the side, These will help prevent the drain from clogging with iron-ochre-laden groundwater. Additionally, our sump pump systems are up to the challenge of draining your system, being able to pump out ½" solids.

While a variety of techniques have been used by contractors recently, a report by the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute has shown that iron bacteria is nearly impossible to eliminate completely [PDF].

Methods to eliminate iron bacteria can cost thousands of dollars and are almost always short-term solutions.

There are chemicals on the market that can remove iron ochre stains. However, these stains will reappear quickly as new iron-ochre-laden water comes in contact with these surfaces.

How Iron Ochre Affects A Household

Iron ochre can affect a home and its inhabitants in many ways, the worst being damage to your pipes and plumbing systems.

Iron Ochre Related Issues Include:

Stains: Iron ochre stains anything it comes in contact with, including laundry, sinks, and tubs.

The porous surfaces of concrete will absorb iron-ochre-laden water, leaving deep stains that are especially difficult to remove.

Iron ochre has also been known to leave a oil-like, rainbow-colored sheen on water.

Smell: Iron ochre has a foul smell that's often described as musty, oily, swampy, or like sewage. Some homeowners have also described it as smelling like rotten vegetables or even cucumber.

Iron bacteria in water also raises the chance of sulfur bacteria infestation, which smells like rotten eggs.

Taste: Iron ochre affects the taste of drinking water, giving it an unappealing taste.

Health Issues: Iron bacteria itself has no connection to health issues. However, as it adds organic material to water, it may encourage the growth of other bacterium.

We Have A Drainage Solution For Homes With Iron Ochre!

WaterGuard IOS® is the ONLY cleanable, flushable iron ochre system of its kind -- the ideal solution for a home with iron bacteria in the groundwater!

If you'd like to keep your basement dry and free of iron ochre infiltration, call or e-mail us today! We offer free, no-obligation basement waterproofing quotes to homeowners throughout our service area.

Our service area includes Salem, Beaverton, Eugene, Portland OR, Vancouver WA, as well as Longview WA, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Gresham, Bend, Corvallis, Albany, Springfield OR, and many areas nearby.

Related Pages

• Our French Drain Systems
• Our Sump Pump Systems